SWDC Adopts Annual Plan

The South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) formally adopted the Annual Plan at a Council meeting on 29 June 2016. The Annual Plan covers the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, and represents the second year of the 2015/2025 Long Term Plan.

SWDC CEO, Paul Crimp says Council are very excited about adopting this Annual Plan as it sets in motion a number of projects that will provide a positive impact on the district for many generations to come.

“We are now able to start implementation of the wastewater to land projects in Martinborough and Greytown, since we received 35 year consents, the maximum available for both these discharges.”

“This gives Council a good long term view of its waste water projects and the consenting costs have been spread over the longest possible term. We have also approved the acceleration of the implementation for these consents. With the submissions in favour of not replacing pipes in ground, this will speed up the irrigation to land project, which will get waste water out of our water ways. So each year approximately 24% of total volume will be discharged to land, years earlier than originally planned. This means that there will be fresh waterways during the low flow summer months and we will have the capacity to reduce discharge during the rest of the year, as weather conditions permit.”

“One of the other key projects approved is a formal review of our underground assets (water and wastewater pipework), to ensure that these assets will perform at the required level for the long term. Having water meters allows us to have confidence the network is functioning well and has resulted in a decrease in water usage over the last six years by targeting leaks.”

“We continue to work on Council’s cycle strategy following on from the annual plan meetings and consultation. The feedback from the community was 90% in favour of the cycle strategy and 50% of those who responded rated safety as the first priority, followed by the development of linkages as the second priority. The cycle way from Cross Creek into Featherston links Featherston to one of the countries great rides – the Rimutaka cycle trail. We have also been able to secure New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) funding for the on-going maintenance of the cycle ways developed so far.”

“With the new shared path almost complete on Oxford Street in Martinborough, another town linkage will be completed. A lime path will be constructed in Greytown’s North Street, which will provide a safer trail for the many walkers, joggers and cyclists. The general consultation concluded that the focus for cycling would be on safety for cyclists rather than development of new paths;

however an important project for the 2016/2017 year is the development of a work plan for future works, including signage, line marking and designated cycle lanes.”

“Following on from the consultation on the Annual Plan a long list of suggestions were put forward to change speed limits and extend speed zones. Due to the amount of roads listed it will be a project of Council to review these roads over the coming year, to collect data on these areas, and to submit an application to NZTA to review and amend as consented. Council will continue to advocate on behalf of the community on matters relating to the State Highways from the submissions we received.”

“Our responsibilities as a regulator also came under review and earlier this year the latest IANZ Audit raised no ‘Corrective Actions’ in relation to our building consenting operations. There are not many authorities that can claim that.”

“We receive a significant amount of funding from NZTA, their audits not only cover whether we are accounting for the funds they give us in an appropriate way, but more importantly whether we are investing sufficiently in our roading network to ensure the long term sustainability of that network. These audits have not raised any material issues. Works to be done on the sealing of unsealed roads will continue with one kilometre every year being sealed outside of the NZTA funded programmes, as it has been a strong point raised through the consultation process in our community. “

“Finally, from a financial aspect, we are in very good shape. We meet or exceed the benchmarks set by Government and have a very good understanding of the financial pressures we face.”

For more information contact enquiries@swdc.govt.nz.

Posted:  11 July 2016 

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